1970 Plymouth Superbird 440

LMC is proud to offer for sale this 1970 Plymouth Superbird

For just one year, Plymouth produced one of the most storied muscle cars of all time. The short-lived Plymouth Superbird was a highly modified version of the Plymouth Road Runner. This muscle car was designed with one person in mind, NASCAR champion Richard Petty. A long time Plymouth driver the Superbird was meant to lure him from Ford back to Chrysler. 1969 NASCAR rules required the automaker to produce at least one car available to the general public for every two dealer franchises to qualify the cars to race. Plymouth was following the old adage "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday". Instant racing success and the Superbird quickly became a legend.

The Superbird's smoothed-out body and protruding aerodynamic nosecone were race inspired while the street version retractable headlights added nineteen inches to the Road Runner's original length. The high-mounted rear wing was mounted on tall vertical struts that put it into less disturbed air thus increasing the efficiency of the downdraft placed upon the car's rear axle. In reality, there was no secret mathematical formula used to determine the exact height of the enormous wing rather simply designed to provide clearance for the trunk lid… by sheer co-incidence, the height of the wing was at the optimum level for maximum downforce. "Superbird" decals were placed on the outside edges of the spoiler vertical struts featuring a picture of the Road Runner cartoon character holding a racing helmet. A smaller version of the decal appears on the driver side headlight door. The rear-facing fender scoops were to hide cut outs to allow wheel clearance and lowered height of the vehicle for NASCAR however for standard road going Superbirds the covers or "air extractors" were a cosmetic looks only enhancement. And of course, tucked in the engine bay was the famous purple horn which mimicked the Road Runner cartoon character. Superbirds had three engine options: 426 Hemi, 440 Super Commando Six Barrel, and the 440 Super Commando with a single 4-barrel carburetor. Transmission options included a 4-Speed Manual and 2 speed or 3 speed automatics. Only 1,920 Superbirds were produced and sold new for $4,298 or about $1,000 more than other muscle cars of the day.

The entire Superbird manufacturing run was brief, commencing on October 23rd,1969 and concluding on December 15, 1969. This 1970 Superbird was one of the last to go into production at the Lynch Road Michigan Plant, scheduled to be built on or about December 7, 1969. It is one of only 626 produced with the E86 Code, 440 Super Commando 375HP engine with single 4 barrel carburetor and mated to the Code D32, Torqueflite Automatic Transmission. The paint has been done in a professional manner with all door jambs, trunk and underhood painted body colour. The exterior finish shows very well and is done as per factory with some orange peel. The rear bumper has been re-plated and stainless surfaces are in very good original condition. The underside has received much attention as it was  sandblasted and painted body color white, and the entire drivetrain, engine, transmission and rearend, is clean and detailed. Inside, it has the optional high-back front bucket seats, which along with rear seats, have been newly recovered and sit on new black carpet. The dash, full woodgrain console and balance of interior are in nice original condition. Other features on this wonderful bird include the optional Tic-Toc-Tach, AM Radio, PS and PB. This car runs and drives as good as it looks. According to the Plymouth Registry, only 977 Superbirds are known to remain in existence and the previous owner has passed along valuable documents such as: the original Door Sticker, Chrysler Registry Letter, NASCAR Serial Number Book and a photo album detailing the complete restoration.  

Today, a whole new generation knows and appreciates the Petty inspired Superbird that was a key character in the 2006 film “Cars.” Collectors have made this exotic race track looking Mopar with its bullet-shaped bolted-on aerodynamic nose and sky-high cast aluminum wing, one of the most desired and most recognized muscle cars of the era.